Russian Born Sport Goes International

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, arriving from Russia, the World Cup Finals in Hand-to-Hand Fighting will be held in the United States. Hand-to-Hand Fighting, translated from the Russian "rukopashniy boi", is a form of close contact fighting that utilizes specialized hand and feet techniques; an ancient ethnic martial art. In the 1970s, it was picked up by KGB field combat trainers and developed into an effective fighting method using the hands and feet in both armed and unarmed field situations. It was also used by the Russian Army and various Special Forces. A specialized Hand-to-Hand Fighting sport grew out of the military application.  It was legitimized in 1985, gaining wide spread popularity in Russia and surrounding states, with national and then international federations formed to champion the sport.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100927/NY72055 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100927/NY72055 )

"Our goal is to make Hand-to-Hand Fighting an Olympic sport," asserts Sergey Astakhov, Doctor of Education Sciences, Master of Sports, and the President of the International Hand-to-Hand Fighting Sport Federation (HSIF), headquartered in Moscow. According to Dr. Astakhov, Hand-to-Hand Fighting is an ideal public sport because it serves as a solid foundation for a healthy way of life, boosts morale and bolsters the competitive spirit. There are approximately 100,000 followers of the sport in Russia, with more than 60 HSIF branches throughout the country. Former CIS countries, Europe and now the US and Canada are joining in the growing international popularity of the sport.

While Hand-to-Hand Fighting proved to be a very effective tool in all defense/attack applications involving people in the field, the sport was developed in accordance with strictly observed safety rules and is entirely unarmed.   According to Dr. Astakhov, Hand-to-Hand Fighting is more than just a sport; it is an outlet for physical and spiritual awakening. "We don't want to arm one group of people against the other" - claims Dr. Astakhov.  "The philosophy of HSIF is a simple peaceful message: all people of the world are united by the common, basic human interests of well-being, health and prosperity. We invite people, associations and federations to join us in appreciating friendships formed with others irrespective of political, ethnic, religious or other differences." Teams from all over the world will participate in the 2010 World Cup Finals, including the USA, Canada, Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

The event will be held on October 3, 2010, Sunday, at Asplundh Field House The Academy of the New Church, 2760 Buck Road, Bryn Athyn, PA19009. Begins at 11 AM. FREE ADMISSION.

SOURCE Russian Information Service